NorthPoint believes Betrayal Partner Trauma, also known as Partner Betrayal Trauma is a form of trauma that often occurs within intimate relationships. This type of trauma is usually caused by a partner or significant other having violated, breaking relational trust, protection, and/or safety.
Many partners who experience betrayal partner trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. These include dysregulation in emotional, spiritual, social, physical, sexual, and financial stabilization. Additional symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, impaired sleeping, depression, anxiety, brain fog, distrust, and dissociation.
Types of Betrayal Trauma
There are many different types of betrayal trauma, including:
- Parental: When a parent or caretaker or someone you depend on to meet your needs abuses, neglects, and/or fails to protect you from harm.
- Intimate Partner: This can occur when your partner is having an emotional affair or a physical affair. If one of the partners has an active sexual addiction, betrayal is present.
- Institutional: When an institution impacts you in a way that is in direct opposition to what they portray themselves to be or their stated mottos and goals. This can also occur when the institution protects the perpetrator instead of supporting the victim or “whistleblower.”
- Interpersonal: When a trusted friend, peer, or individual betrays your trust.